Bhubaneswar, Nov 27: The celebration of Kartika Purnima or Danga Bhasa Purnima in Odisha also known as Boita Bandana.It takes place on the full moon of the Kartika month.

During this festival, people from across the state gather at the nearest water bodies like river or pond to launch small boats made of banana tree, paper, or thermocol.These boats are adorned with diyas, betel leaves, rice, doob, banyan leave and coins.

Kartika Purnima in Odisha is a vibrant homage to the region's illustrious maritime history, dating back to its time as Kalinga.

In this era, traders and mariners, referred to as sadhabas, embarked on boats to engage in trade with distant island nations bordering the Bay of Bengal, such as Indonesia, Java, Sumatra, Bali and Srilanka.

As the boats set sail, the people of Odisha chant a popular rhyming phrase, "aa ka ma boi, pana gua thoi, pana gua tora, masaka dharama mora," which is a prayer for the safe journey of the mariners, seeking blessings earned during the Kartika month.

Rituals:
Rituals associated with Kartik Purnima include the sacred Kartik Snan—a ritualistic bath taken at sunrise and moonrise in pilgrimage sites.

Devotees express their reverence to Lord Vishnu through offerings of flowers, diyas, and incense, often observing a fast and reciting the Satyanarayan Vrat Katha.

The day’s celebrations also involve reading the story of Kartika Purnima, culminating in the aarti of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

Significance:
Kartik Purnima holds immense religious and spiritual significance in Hindu mythology. Observing Kartik Snan and worshiping Lord Vishnu on this day is believed to bring abundant fortune.

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